548553 Thu Aug 14 04:07:58 -0700 2008 3 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 3955896 Buddy's doesn't get any love on this board, that's for sure! My experiences there are not recent, but I have had decent enough crabs there - the other food, not great (but not awful for what it is.) It would be helpful for those coming from out of town to explain why going Buddy's *for crabs* should be avoided. (Recent experiences only please.) It is, afterall, the only place in the Historic District of downtown Annapolis (that I know of) that serves steamed crabs. And they have a prime location overlooking the hustle and bustle of the Market and Ego Alley, kids specials, parking vouchers, etc. There are other options for crabs in the greater Annapolis area, which isn't the point of this topic. Plenty of other threads about the wonderfulness of Cantlers, Harris's, Mike's, etc. For tourists who don't have the time or inclination to leave the historic district, it would help to know why people think Buddy's is so bad it should be "avoided at all costs." Thu Aug 14 04:07:59 -0700 2008 11601 crackers 1 3956032 I don't think anything there is worth eating if you are a chowhound, except perhaps breakfast, but even that you can get much better and cheaper elsewhere, so yep avoid for absolutely everything. Cheap ingredients, not well prepared, made for general purpose trough eating, not hounds. Thu Aug 14 05:37:54 -0700 2008 3955896 92426 ktmoomau 1 3956069 As someone who always advises chowhounds to stay away from Buddy's, I'll respond. First, you're wrong, you can get steamed crabs at other downtown locations, Phillips, for example. Now, I wouldn't recommend anyone go there either, but we're talking Buddy's here. I can't speak to recent experiences, because I learned years ago to avoid the place, so why would I go back? I've had steamed crabs twice, breakfast buffet on Sunday, and another two meals of other seafood entrees. The crabs were small, light, and over priced. The breakfast buffet was ok, but nothing worth repeating, and the other two meals were awful! The fish was so overcookedit was inedible. The management didn't care, they were only interested in packing people in, and making a buck. The ONLY reason that place remains open is that unknowing tourists think "what a cool place to eat, overlooking City Dock." They have a great location, and that's what they bank on. Thu Aug 14 05:57:34 -0700 2008 3955896 94924 naptownlady 2 3956699 Phillips does not have steamed crabs on their menu. They do serve them on occasion, but not reliably. Probably more on weekends than weekdays. Today for instance - no crabs. Anywhere else in historic Annapolis serving up hot steamed crabs? Thu Aug 14 09:13:18 -0700 2008 3956069 11601 crackers